ESCAPE WITH ROMEO PSALMS OF SURVIVAL ALBUM NOVA, RADAR MUSIKKONTOR RELEASE: MARCH 22, 2004 REVIEW: MARCH 24, 2004

From the opening chords right through to the final notes of this album, one really has to be impressed with the slick polish of it all. "Psalms of Survival" is quite an intimate album for founder and mastermind Thomas Elbern. He even has put a personal message on the inlay to explain why some of these songs are as devastating as they are. Previous albums by this band always left me with the impression that there could have been more to them, not so with this one.
"It's Loneliness" is a very catchy little number complete with sinewy vocals. "Chaos & You" glides along on a smooth trip hop backing. "In this room, we sit like flies", a line from the stunning somewhat Sisters-esque track "Melancholia", puts you right in that room with the band. I like the overall feel of this this release so much that I'm quite tempted to look over Escape With Romeo's back catalogue with a more favourable eye. One other track to mention is the twangy, perfectly synchronized "Prince in the Shell". Cunning work, indeed.
If you're a fan of this band already, you are in for a treat and if you were somewhat undecided, you'll be won over. There is a much larger role for the keyboards on "Psalms of Survival"; it really sounds as though Thomas had a trying 2003, but he's put it to fine use. Heady songs are these.

PETER MARKS